Growing up, we had Alex & Miguel on the block. They had about 5-6 younger siblings with Alex being the oldest. He was funny while Miguel, though a good kid, was plain crazy. One day around 1973, we came into possession of a large cardboard box, probably from a stove. Miguel came up with the great idea of stepping inside while we’d throw sticks and metal pipes at it, like on a magic show. He thought they’d pass right by his face, over his head, etc. “Get out, stupid!” Alex told him. Miguel was about 13 then and didn’t see anything wrong with his idea! Was he kidding?
When God tells us to do things or not to, He’s not kidding. We might not be serious, but He is. We might make plans, or might even foresee results down-the-road, but God sees the entire picture from start to finish (as if viewed from above). Besides, He has a plan for everything, and He doesn’t have to share it with us.
When God expects us to carry out something and we don’t, He tells us that “rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (1Samuel 15:23).
Some people see God’s word or commandments as suggestions. Take Moses, He led God’s people out of Egypt where God performed great miracles in the midst of the Egyptians. They saw firsthand God at work. Only He could cause it to be pitch-dark in Egypt and daytime on the side for the Hebrews. God brought judgement and pestilence upon the Egyptians by the hand of Moses. Moses led Israel through the Red Sea, and into the wilderness throughout forty years. Yet, he wasn’t allowed into the Promised Land after all he had gone through. For starters, he was 80 when he began!
Why didn’t he enter? Because he disobeyed God’s voice. When the people asked for water, God told Moses to strike the rock before him, which he did, and out came water. Later, a second time, God again told him to speak to the rock but Moses instead told the people: “Hear now, ye rebels; must we bring water out of this rock for you?” (Numbers 20:10). He made it sound like he would be the one doing the miracles. Then, instead of speaking to it, he struck it, not once, but twice. If you didn’t know, Moses was considered by God Himself as the meekest man on earth, yet he lost his cool. Speak, hit, what’s the big deal? It so happens that many things in scripture are symbolic.
“And Moses lifted up his hand and with his rod smote the rock twice and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also. And the LORD (Yahweh) spoke unto Moses and Aaron, because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore, you shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them” (Numbers 20:11, 12). Moses was supposed to trust God to bring forth water. He didn’t. Plus, he didn’t speak to the rock, but struck it, and, he struck it twice. Since the Rock was Christ (1Corinthians 10:4), and he would be ‘wounded’ (Isaiah 53:5) once, striking Him twice meant Christ was being crucified twice, something which would not happen.
Jesus doesn’t get crucified every year and resurrected each Easter. The holiday is a commemoration. “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right of God” (Hebrew10:12).
So, are you serious? Yep, God says what He means, and means what He says. Take Him at His Word.
God Bless,
Sam
Finding Laughter In Difficult Times
My life experiences in the good times and in very difficult times will hopefully inspire, encourage, and motivate others to take time to laugh, reflect, and seek God when difficulties in life arise.